If you regularly use tacking mats in a cutting machine such as a Cricut or just use them to cut out paper by hand with a hobby knife, you know that the tacky property of the mat doesn't last terribly long. There are several methods of retacking your mats, but taking the time to thoroughly clean the mats will make whichever remedy you use last longer between applications.

Crafting weblog Michelle's Adventures with Digital Creations shares a great method for cleaning tacky mats that have lost their tack. Spread a light layer of Goo Gone (here's a DIY version) over your mat and let it sit for 15 minutes or so and then take a plastic scraper (or old credit card) and scrape the dirt and residue of the tacking agent from the mat. If you look at the photos at the source link below you'll see what an incredible difference this makes.

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Once you have a clean mat you can use an adhesive of your choice to bring the tacky back. The author uses Aleene's Tack It Over and Over glue but if you do a search you'll find a variety of glues used. With Aleen's you'll want make a 50% glue and 50% water mixture and brush that onto your mat. Let it dry for 20 minutes, brush on another coat, and let that dry for 24 hours. Your tacky cutting mat should now hold paper and cardboard as it did when new.